Biting Elbows
We were recently sent through the self titled album from Russian punk outfit, Biting Elbows, to see what we thought. Recorded over in Moscow, these guys are drawing influence from the likes of Rancid, The Misfits, The Clash and Sublime, forming a sound which is full of devastation and power. As soon as I opened the wrapping on this CD I was impressed, the attention to detail is such that this is the sort of thing which will be framed as well as played.
Opening with Toothpick there’s an immediate sense of old-school punk, the guitar sounding fresh over the punchy vocals and melodic backing track. Adding in the bass to add a further sense of depth and power, this track soon takes full form and shows off the full power of the band, crafting a track which will make you sit up and take note from the word go. What’s incredible throughout the track is that you hear all of the bands influences in turn, the track roving between harder punk, ska and all out rock moments – it’s one hell of an opener to an album.
City Of No Palms continues the bass heavy rhythms of the album, throwing into a track which testifies this bands punk roots, showing off their aggressive side and forming a track which could happily sit alongside their influences on the live front. Despite the power and aggression there’s still a serene amount of catchiness to things, this is the sort of thing which you’re going to be singing along to after a couple of listens. Angleton follows much the same sort of convention, once again throwing down with a bass heavy track which is sure to get live crowds moving. Whilst the bass is high in the mix it purely adds to the groove orientated approach of the music here, causing some part of you to move for the entire time you’re hearing the track – definitely one which is going to work on the live scene.
Rabid Red is my personal favourite track off of the album, there’s just something about it which puts it on par with the more accessible punk bands out there, the sort of thing which could get some serious airplay if it were given the chance. There’s also a real sense of the live scene within this track, leaving you with a sound which is once again going to get you out of your seat, moving and jumping along with the band. Hype Waltz, Who Am I To Stand Still, Scaffolds On The Babylon and Dustbus all continue the theme of the album, each one presenting a slightly different approach to punk and keeping the album alive and fresh, but it’s when The Enjoyers comes into being that you’re once again awoken and made to pay attention. Launching into a funky and offbeat track akin to Sublime and the like, this is another track which shows off the bands more laid back approach to music, once again crafting a sound which is going to kill on the live scene.
Following on with World’s Most Important Something the tone is once again raised to a heavier level, launching into a track which surely epitomises the sound of the band as a whole. Fast, raucous, powerful and aggressive yet full of catchy hooks, this is another track which has been made for the live scene, the sort of track which makes people want to see a band live and support them. It’s not shock then when Kill The Cooks follows on with more punk fuelled aggression from the off, opening fast and continuing like it means business. Once again what you’ve got here is a demonstration that there’s a solid music scene alive and well in Russia, but also that there’s some damned good music coming out of there as well!
Closing with One Night In 99 (ahh memories…) there’s one last chance to bear witness to what these guys can do, opening softly and showing off their ability to craft melodic masterpieces which both sooth and encourage you to move. Adding in a harmonica, this to me is the perfect drinking song – the sort of thing which you crank on, open a beer and kick back with some friends to – it’s a great ending to an awesome album.
Biting Elbows have achieved 2 things with me with this album – firstly it’s made me realise I should pay more attention to music out of Russia as this is awesome, and secondly, it’s reinvigorated my love for punk and made me realise that when it’s done well, it’s done damned well. This album is quite frankly stunning from start to finish, each track coming as a little snippet of punk fuelled energy, each one grabbing your attention and showing off a slightly different edge to the band. Get the CD and there’s also a DVD on it, so there’s really no reason not to be getting on and getting hold of this – you won’t be disappointed.
To find out more about Biting Elbows, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
Check out their video to Bad Motherfucker below!
Opening with Toothpick there’s an immediate sense of old-school punk, the guitar sounding fresh over the punchy vocals and melodic backing track. Adding in the bass to add a further sense of depth and power, this track soon takes full form and shows off the full power of the band, crafting a track which will make you sit up and take note from the word go. What’s incredible throughout the track is that you hear all of the bands influences in turn, the track roving between harder punk, ska and all out rock moments – it’s one hell of an opener to an album.
City Of No Palms continues the bass heavy rhythms of the album, throwing into a track which testifies this bands punk roots, showing off their aggressive side and forming a track which could happily sit alongside their influences on the live front. Despite the power and aggression there’s still a serene amount of catchiness to things, this is the sort of thing which you’re going to be singing along to after a couple of listens. Angleton follows much the same sort of convention, once again throwing down with a bass heavy track which is sure to get live crowds moving. Whilst the bass is high in the mix it purely adds to the groove orientated approach of the music here, causing some part of you to move for the entire time you’re hearing the track – definitely one which is going to work on the live scene.
Rabid Red is my personal favourite track off of the album, there’s just something about it which puts it on par with the more accessible punk bands out there, the sort of thing which could get some serious airplay if it were given the chance. There’s also a real sense of the live scene within this track, leaving you with a sound which is once again going to get you out of your seat, moving and jumping along with the band. Hype Waltz, Who Am I To Stand Still, Scaffolds On The Babylon and Dustbus all continue the theme of the album, each one presenting a slightly different approach to punk and keeping the album alive and fresh, but it’s when The Enjoyers comes into being that you’re once again awoken and made to pay attention. Launching into a funky and offbeat track akin to Sublime and the like, this is another track which shows off the bands more laid back approach to music, once again crafting a sound which is going to kill on the live scene.
Following on with World’s Most Important Something the tone is once again raised to a heavier level, launching into a track which surely epitomises the sound of the band as a whole. Fast, raucous, powerful and aggressive yet full of catchy hooks, this is another track which has been made for the live scene, the sort of track which makes people want to see a band live and support them. It’s not shock then when Kill The Cooks follows on with more punk fuelled aggression from the off, opening fast and continuing like it means business. Once again what you’ve got here is a demonstration that there’s a solid music scene alive and well in Russia, but also that there’s some damned good music coming out of there as well!
Closing with One Night In 99 (ahh memories…) there’s one last chance to bear witness to what these guys can do, opening softly and showing off their ability to craft melodic masterpieces which both sooth and encourage you to move. Adding in a harmonica, this to me is the perfect drinking song – the sort of thing which you crank on, open a beer and kick back with some friends to – it’s a great ending to an awesome album.
Biting Elbows have achieved 2 things with me with this album – firstly it’s made me realise I should pay more attention to music out of Russia as this is awesome, and secondly, it’s reinvigorated my love for punk and made me realise that when it’s done well, it’s done damned well. This album is quite frankly stunning from start to finish, each track coming as a little snippet of punk fuelled energy, each one grabbing your attention and showing off a slightly different edge to the band. Get the CD and there’s also a DVD on it, so there’s really no reason not to be getting on and getting hold of this – you won’t be disappointed.
To find out more about Biting Elbows, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
Check out their video to Bad Motherfucker below!